hey Turtle, thanks for this info. I am intrigued by this but I tried to interpret the diagrams at the sc.uvnc site and to be honest I got a little lost. I guess I have to install repeater on the same box (behind NAT/firewall) as I am running my Uvnc Viewer (listen mode).
Actually, a complete separate box to run the repeater on is the best choice. The repeater connects the two people together (admin+ customer). In practice, this means that the repeater is NOT running on the same computer being used for support by the admin. (if the ports are forwarded to the same box that can run the repeater, then you already opened up that box to the internet, and it thus having the admin run the repater + vncviwer on the same box makes no sense, nor is required). So, if the prots are open to that box for the admin, then why use the repeater in this case? You don’t want to, nor need to run the repeater on the same box that you are going to do “admin†support (no need, since the repeater box MUST have open ports to the internet -- you don't have that when sitting in the hotel room!!). That repeater box MUST HAVE open ports to the internet.
Then forward 2 additional ports to this box for use by the repeater. Recompile my SC client to use this new port... yes?
Yes, that makes sense, assuming we now realize that you have a fixed box somewhere that you don’t move that runs the repeater. The repeater is very tiny, and I actually run it on a old box at home. Since the two ports we use must be open, then we have to be able to configure this machine (you obviously can’t control that while you are sitting in a hotel, so the repeater must run on a fixed location/fixed box).
However, that fixed box can be one of your home computers. I have at least 5 computers on my home network. The computer that runs the repeater is actually one for guests and staff that runs my household. The fact that I forwarded from the router both port 80 (for the customer) and port 443 for the Admin DOES NOT effect that this repeater machine is used by people all day. Users and friends in my house can use that repater box and their internet browser/email, or whatever etc is NOT effected by the fact of the repeater running on this box. The forwarded ports from the router to this repeater box does NOT effect outgoing stuff (so, people can use the browser that happens to function on port 80, and this does not effect the repeater) So, a tiny 4k repeater program has to run on SOME macine somewhere. So, a work machine, your wifes machine, a server you have….(well, perhaps not a server..sicne if that server is running a web site..then you can’t use prot 80). The only requirment for that repater box is that you can open ports from the router to that repater box.
But when I leave my home and for example, want to support someone from my hotel room... I must run UVnc Viewer again in listen mode
No, you never use listen mode. You are doing a outgoing connection, and the ip address you use is the one of the box that is running the repeater (at home in our example). The beauty of this is that you as the Admin guy ALWAYS gets to type in the same IP address to connect to! So, that is how you attached to the repeater.
The customer also attaches to that repeater also (and, uses the same IP address – but, with SC the customer never did type in the IP address as it is built into SC when you compiled it). So, the customer simply clicks on the SC program you provide. It is SC that actually doing a reverse connection (remember, SC is a cut down VNC server, and you useally connect to the vncserver, but with SC click you ALWAYS initiatives a connection out). As mentioned, when you use the repeater, the Admin and customer MUST use a different port since BOTH Admin + customer are connecting to that box running the repeater and can’t come in on the SAME port.
So, my help text for the SC looks like
[TITLE]
My Cool Remote Support System
[HOST]
Double Click on me to start Support
-ID 4567 -connect xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx::80 –noregistry
Note how the above chooses port 80. I choose port 80, as it has the BEST chance of being open for the customer.
On my machine, as the Admin, I simply launch vncviwer. The next most common open port is 443, so, I use that one.
Because you are using the repeater, then for the VNC viewer as the Admin guy, you
do NOT type in the IP address in the VNC server setting as you normally do, but actually type in a ID:XXXX number (the one you choose in the SC config file). In our example, we would type in
ID::4567
Note how above you don’t type in your IP address in to the Vnc Server setting
You actually type in the IP address + port number in the Proxy/Repeater box on the bottom of the VNC viewer settings (and, thus you have to check the check box called Proxy/Repeater)
xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx::443
There is step by step here:
http://doc.uvnc.com/addons/repeater.html
note that I don’t change the mode I/ mode II settings on the repeater, but you are actually using mode II. Further, the repeater settings thus are
Accept port 443
Listen Port 80
Super Turtle
Seriously once you've done it once....
).
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